The joy of escaping your family

Today I want to tell you how important it is for you to be escaping your family. Not forever, perhaps (although some days I wouldn’t rule it out), but for a good whack. And regularly.

Do you love your kids? I love my kids. They blow my mind every single day with their individual little personalities, learnings and foibles. Miss 10 has shown me this year that she is a talented musician by learning the clarinet and kicking its arse. Extra impressive because I can’t even play the triangle. Master 4 is currently obsessed with ‘Minja Turtles’ and can build crazy-clever vehicles out of Lego that blow my mind. And Little Red is almost 2. She is suddenly obsessed with changing outfits every couple of hours, and with making an official announcement each time she farts.

If you read blogs (and I’m assuming you do, because, ah, this is a blog), you may have heard that last weekend ProBlogger was on at the Gold Coast. What is ProBlogger? For those uninitiated, it is a giant conference where bloggers come from all over the country (and in some cases, further; hello Kirsty from Qatar!). It’s sort of like an Amway convention but with less dickheads, more drinking, and marginally more men.

The upshot of this was that Champagne Gillian and I got to pack our bags (and in Gillian’s case, her ENORMOUS makeup kit) and drive to the Goldie together. Gilly and I have never been away together before, so that in itself was exciting. We hit the road with 90s dance music on the car stereo and levity in our hearts.

Then we got into three days of learning, networking, chit chat, champagne, room service, and uninterrupted headspace.

Gilly and I got to catch up with some of our favourite gal pals: Bianca from Big Words Blog, Danielle from Keeping Up with the Holsbys, and Kirsty from 4 kids, 20 Suitcases and a Beagle

Highlights included:

enormous soft beds

room service (sure, I mentioned it earlier, but room service always bears repeating)

being able to finish our sentences (and our thoughts)

being able to think purely about ourselves

sleeping in

girly bonding time

being able to leave the room 30 seconds after deciding that we wanted to leave the room.

It was awesome. I can’t tell you how much I loved it.

When you escape your family, you can sip drinks out of cute little bottles with straws, without having to share them with snotty people who backwash.

And then I came home. I hugged my husband and my children tight. The kids were filthy, the house was a mess, dinner needed to be cooked, and there were piles of washing to do. But I felt no pain. I had a fresh appreciation for all those little things about all of them. And social media was full of bloggers saying the same thing. They loved their time at ProBlogger but they were just so happy to be home.

I once met a woman who had four kids – aged from 12 down to 2. She proudly told me she has never spent a night away from her children. I feel sad for her, and for her kids. There is nothing like recharging your batteries to remind you of what and who is important in your life.

Sure, champagne, gal pals and room service are freaking ace, but I remember how much I love my family now too.

33 Comments

Thank you for being the most awesomely HIGH-larious roomie a girl could have. And for generally being so much fun that I nearly wee’d my pleather pants, regularly. May your beautiful, sparkly FOMO star shine brightly today my loveliness!

I missed my kiddies but it was a good exercise because I had three nights away and they were fine! Even the house wasn’t that horrific. A shame we didn’t get to spend more time together, I foresee another hotel night in the near future – with no learning and lots of laughing!

My Blokefolk went away for the weekend whilst I was away and even managed to do laundry.

I missed them desperately but man was it awesome to see their little faces when I got off the plane. They waited for me at the gate and made me cry.

I meant to buy Boyo a pressie and just ran out of time. So I presented him with a packet of chocolate biscuits that I grabbed when I was stocking up on sinus sick girl essentials and the cute in room shower gel. He was THRILLED!

Bless them, I got a pressie too. I got a polkadot frog for my desk. As you do.

I couldn’t survive if I spent all my time just being a wife and mama. I’d bore myself!

So glad you had such a lovely time! Yep I agree – it’s so important to get away and have time to yourself. Some friends and I make it a regular thing to go away for girls weekends – you just need to I think! xx

Glad you got to have some time away from the family and recharge your batteries – it’s always so essential. And you’re right, it allows you to appreciate better what you truly have at home without getting bogged down in the daily annoyances. xx

I’m still laughing about those turtles and a related personal joke that I will have to tell you about offline some time 🙂 I really did enjoy that time to myself away from the kids to focus on me and my passion. I missed the kids a lot of course, but promised myself and my husband to not get worked up about it. I never get away, so I wanted to make the most of it. The hugs and kisses I received when I arrived home were the best I’ve had 🙂 Visiting via #teamIBOT

Isn’t it funny that we don’t feel like we can get away unless we justify it somehow with a conference or some other ‘legit’ excuse. It’s rare for a working mum to say: I need time out so I’m taking a weekend off. We should do that more! Can’t wait to hear your turtle story. We must be due a lunch to debrief after PB??

Wow … sounds like I need to get on board next year. Think it’s worth flying back from LA for? Thanks for sharing your thoughts I’m totally jealous–especially about the room service. And the girly bonding. And the time to yourself. LOL.

I’m with you. I need to run away so to stay at home longer. Most days, I run away to my bedroom or even hide in the pantry, just to have a moment os space, take calm my breathing just to go out and hug them tighter and enjoy there closeness.

AMEN! I got home to discover my husband had cleaned, done the washing, made us dinner and bought a bottle of red to share. I fell in love with him all over again. Oh and I smooshed the living shit out of our puppy!

I don’t understand people who think it’s fine or normal or healthy to never spend a night away from their kids or husband either. But good for them I guess, if they are able to keep up appearances for that long! I most certainly can’t! In fact I am due for a good break I reckon! Now, where can I go….wish I’d have gone to Problogger! Glad you had a wonderful time. There is nothing like that first hug after a couple of days away. Makes you wonder how you could ever have wanted to leave them (for a little while anyway, until you are reminded!) -Aroha (for #teamIBOT)

I love this! I went away from my family for the first time in May this year – 2 nights in Sydney with my girlfriends and man was is it GOOOOOD! It’s amazing how a break from the ones you love can actually make you a better mother and general person 🙂
ProBlogger was amazing. But as I am a Gold Coaster I ended up going home each night….so it wasn’t really a ‘proper’ break from my family – but it was great none the less.
Loving your blog girls.
C x

Thanks Claire! Yeah, I saw a few husbands pop into PB with kids to visit and was pretty happy I got to get away for a few days. That weekend in May sounds like it would have been fantastic though – it’s so important to make that a regular thing, don’t you think? xx